Rodeo portion of Feeders and Friends fundraiser cancelled

Dinner, dance and auction still on to benefit Waitley family

Barbara Baker, For the Journal-Advocate

Posted:
08/13/2014 12:18:08 PM MDT

NEW RAYMER, CO--With the recent, newly confirmed cases of vesicular stomatitis in northern Colorado, organizers of the annual Feeders and Friends annual benefit have made the decision to cancel just the rodeo portion of their 2014 event which is scheduled to take place this Saturday in New Raymer. The dinner, auction and dance will all still be held, according to organizers.

“Many of the cowboys who come and compete in this feedlot rodeo make a living with the same horses that they would be bringing to this event. In order to protect the health of these horses, we’ve made a decision to cancel the ranch rodeo portion of this year’s event,” said Verlyn Mahan, president of the organization.

In a post on the organization’s Facebook page, the following was noted. “Due to the vesicular stomatitis outbreak, the rodeo portion of the benefit has been cancelled based on the advice from vets in this area. However, we will still be having the barbecue, auction and dance. Please come out and support the Waitley family. Our day may have been altered, but unfortunately, Cody Waitley’s medical bills have not.” The post makes reference to this year’s benefit being held to help offset some of the unsurmountable medical expenses the Waitley family has and will continue to incur. Cody, 17, has been diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, a heart condition that usually requires heart transplant for survival. He and his family is currently pursuing a transplant.

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Feeders and Friends will begin serving food in the main building at the fairgrounds at 1 p.m. The auction will start at 4 p.m. and the dance will follow the auction, probably beginning around 7:30 p.m. The dance, which features live music, will be held at the community center in New Raymer. This event has a wonderful following and has been a huge benefit for the families honored by this group in the past. The public is encouraged to get out and support this Waitley benefit, even in this modified state.

"Vesicular stomatitis (VS) can be painful for animals and costly to their owners," said State Veterinarian Dr. Keith Roehr, in a release issued by his office in late July. "The virus typically causes oral blisters and sores that can be painful causing difficulty in eating and drinking.” The disease is easily passed from one horse to another and it can affect other livestock as well. Livestock with clinical signs of VS are isolated until they are healed and determined to be of no further threat for disease spread. There are no USDA approved vaccines for VS.

This is the 12th year for the Feeders and Friends annual benefit to take place. In past years the group has raised anywhere between $25,000 and $65,000 in a single day to benefit the family and memory of a young person who has passed away or who is in a difficult situation due to significant life-changing health issues. The barbecue, prepared by local cooks, is always excellent and the auction is sure to feature a good line up of quality donations, sold to the highest bidder, will all the proceeds going to the Waitley family.

RE-1 Valley School District has announced its policy for determining eligibility of children who may receive free and reduced price meals served under the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program.
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